"Celebration of Hope" - Alzheimer's Association A Tree of Hope

The Tree of Hope is displayed in the Hudson office lobby of the Alzheimer's Association Greater East Ohio Area Chapter. Designed by Jonas Mast, sculpted by Sanford Werfel of North Brunswick, New Jersey, and donated by the Walnut Hills Retirement Community, the display was unveiled and dedicated at the 21st Annual Caregiver's Awareness Breakfast in Canton on Saturday, November 10, 2001.

History: Larry & Eileen Schillig

Larry Schillig donated the “Tree of Hope” to the Alzheimer’s Association in loving memory of his wife, Eileen Schillig, in 2001. Eileen battled Alzheimer’s disease for several years, and Larry cared for her at home throughout the duration of her illness.

Even years after Eileen’s passing, Larry was a kind friend of the Alzheimer’s Association and still enjoyed talking with staff about how brave and kind Eileen had been during her last years. When asked about the “Tree of Hope”, Larry would often tell that it was named as such because Eileen signified hope through medical research. After Eileen’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, she and Larry participated in several clinical trials to help advance Alzheimer’s research.

Larry Schillig passed away in August of 2006. The Schillig family has honored Larry by adding a leaf in his and Eileen’s memory to the Tree of Hope. The Greater East Ohio Area Chapter is grateful to have known and learned from Larry and his family.

Memorial Leaves

Leaves are available for purchase by businesses or individuals for $1,000. A time payment plan is available upon request. When an accumulative memorial donation of $1,000 is received in a person’s name, the Alzheimer's Association will notify the family to determine their desired inscription. Leaves are available in copper or brass and can be engraved with up to five lines of text.

For more information about the “Tree of Hope” contact the our office at 1.800.272.3900.